It is always good to know where these melodies come from and also what their lyrics mean. The House of the Rising Sun is a popular song from the United States. Occasionally called Rising Sun Blues, it tells of a life gone wrong in New Orleans. Before I thought they were talking about drugs, now I see they were just gambling. Depending on the version, the song can be sung from the perspective of a woman or a man.
However, the origins of the songs are somewhat curious. Was there ever such a place in New Orleans that inspired the lyrics of this song? I guess it depends on who you ask. The song definitively tells the story of a boy led to a life of misery in a house of prostitution or gambling in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Two of the best-known performances of the song are by the English group The Animals in 1964, which was a number one hit in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The first recorded version dates from 1932 by Clarence (Tom) Ashley as Rising Sun Blues, and was recorded again in 1934 by The Callahan Brothers as Rounders Luck. As folk music evolved in the 1940s and 1950s, the song went through numerous incarnations, by such notable singers as Josh White, Huddie (Leadbelly) Ledbetter, Pete Seeger, and Woodie Guthrie. As the 1960s progressed, both Joan Baez and Bob Dylan attempted to record the song.
This ’70s classic also has a nice progression for strumming and fingerpicking. On the piano, you can arpeggiate chords.
In this song, it’s easy to find those low notes for each chord. You can also do some variations on those bass lines. Play around with them and see which one suits you best.
l Am C l DF l Am C l EE l
l Am C l DF l Am E l Am Am l
See how many plays of this song:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=pRV9QCXLtHQ
A staple of oldies and classic rock radio stations, the song, House of the Rising Sun, is a staple of oldies and classic rock radio stations, no doubt. Now is your time to play it! – Mrs D